“God is not discoverable or demonstrable by purely scientific means,
unfortunately for the scientifically minded. But that really proves nothing.
It simply means that the wrong instruments are being used for the job.”
J.B. Phillips (For This Day)
Philosophical Proofs of the Existence of God
Proof #1 – Causation.
Thesis: Everything that has a beginning needs a cause.
“Anti-Proof” Refutation: The Earth is eternal.
Carl Sagan (Cosmos) – “The cosmos is all that is, or ever was, or ever will be.”
“Anti-Proof” Refutation #2: The Big Bang Theory
** The logical question, “Where did all the matter that created the Big Bang originate?”
Proof #2 – Complexity: The “Design” or “Teleological” Argument
Thesis: Complex designs in the universe must have had a designer.
Proof #3 – Conscience: The “Universal Moral Law” Argument
Thesis: Every culture has an innate, common sense of right and wrong.
St. Augustine’s Explanation – All of humanity was made in the Image of God.
Proof #4 – The Christological Proof.
See: John 14:7
Point: In Jesus, we have living proof of the existence of God.
II. The Bible and the Existence of God
Truth #1 – None of us can plead ignorance.
Romans 1:20 – “Ever since the creation of the world his eternal power and divine nature, invisible though they are, have been understood and seen through the things he has made. So they are without excuse.”
Question: Since we all “know” God exists…what are we doing in response to that “knowledge”?
Truth #2 – God will not force anyone to believe in him…he only invites us.
Romans 1:24 – “Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity.”
Joshua 24:14-15 - “So honor the Lord and serve him wholeheartedly. Put away forever the idols your ancestors worshiped. Serve the Lord alone. But if you are unwilling to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve. But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.”
Application: We have more than enough “evidence” to choose to believe.
Truth #3 – God wants you to enjoy him.
Romans 1:22-23 – “Claiming to be wise, they became fools; and they exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling a mortal human being or birds or four-footed animals or reptiles.”
** “Glory” = the unmistakable charisma/aura of God
Question: Is that which you enjoy most in life able to prepare you for eternity?
Truth #4 – To know God is to revere him.
Romans 1:17 – “For in it [the Gospel of Jesus Christ] the righteousness of God is revealed through faith for faith; as it is written, ‘The one who is righteous will live by faith.’”
Luke 14:11 – Jesus said, “For the proud will be humbled, but the humble will be honored.” (NLT)
1 Peter 5:6 – “So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and in his good time he will honor you.” (NLT)
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